Dental aspirator



y 1951 A. GRUBB 2,561,622

DENTAL ASPIRATOR Filed NOV. 14, 1949 INVENTOR. F04 4410 4 6391/88 BY L 66% Jrro/cA/EY Patented July 24, 1 951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DENTAL ASPIRATOR Roland A. Grubb, Glendale, Calif. Application November 14, 1949, Serial No. 127,038

14 Claims.

This invention relates to aspirators for remov-- ing blood and other debris which accumulate in the course of exodonty and other dental and surgical operations and particularly to an improved form thereof in which certaindesirable objectives, ashereinafter set forth, are successfully realized.

An object of the invention is to provide an aspirator having a small intake orifice adapted to enter small cavities for ejecting any orifice.

Another object of the invention is to provide an aspirator having means by which, at the option of the user, the intake orifice can be so arand which includes means ranged that it can be used in close proximity to clogging material from the" soft tissue without danger that the tissue will With the above objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may sub-' sequently appear, the invention resides in the parts, and in the construction, combinations and arrangement of parts disclosed, by way of ex ample, in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings of one mode of execution drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an aspirator emof the invention and in which bodying the invention with the parts thereof in the position of normal use; certain portions thereof broken away to show details of interior construction,

Fig. 2 is aside elevation similar to Fig. 1, but

showing the body element in medial section and the parts in the position occupied incident to the ejection of clogging material,

Fig. 3 is still another side elevation similar to Fig. 1, but showing the parts interlocked to modify the intake orifice for use adjacent to soft tissue or in similar situations, and I i Fig. 4 is an exploded side elevation of the com ponent parts of the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an I embodiment of theinvention comprising a unitary body portion formed of a series of lengths of tubing soldered or otherwise secured together and including a tip portion I having an intake orifice 2 at its free end and having the other end inserted and soldered into one end of a slightly larger tubing 3. The tubing 3 is bent between its ends and at its other end is inserted and soldered in one end of a bushing 4, the other end of which is inserted and soldered in one end of a still larger tubing 5 the opposite end of which is in turn, inserted in and soldered or otherwise connected to one end of a spring housing tubing '5 which at its free end is threaded internally at :6 to receive the threaded end I of a nut 18. The nut 8 has an axially disposed bore 9 terminating in an internally threaded portion Ill at the outer end of the nut. The bore 9 affords guidance for a hollow rod I I which intermediate its ends is provided with an enlarged, externally threaded collar portion I2 adapted to engage the internally threaded portion In of the nut 8 (see Fig. 3) and in all events to serve as a stop to limit the extent of movement of the rod II through the nut 8 and into the large tubing 5. In assembly, the rod II after insertion in the bore 9 is provided with a collar element I3 soldered or otherwise secured thereto to prevent the rod from being withdrawn from the nut 8 (see Fig. '1) and the opposite end of the rod II is provided with a series of concentric grooves I4 for gripping engagement with a flexible rubber tubing by which the aspirator is connected with a source. of suction.

Disposed within the spring housing tubing 6 is a compression spring I5 which at one end rests against the shoulder I6 formed by the end of the tubing 5 at its juncture with the tubing 6 and which at its other end engages the ends of the hollow rod II and the collar element I3 mounted thereon. slightly compressed in assembly to provide an initial loading so that it will tend to:hold the rod II, pushed out of the nut 8 to the extent permitted by the collar element I3 (see Fig. 1). The end ll of the wire forming the spring at the end thereof engaging the rod II and collar element I3 extends back through the spring along the various tubing portions and terminates in a rebent end I8 which normally is positioned within the tubing 3 a short distance inward-1y of the end of the tip portion I (see Fig. 1)

Normally, the device is used with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1. Assuming that the device is connected with a source of suction, the

tip. is inserted in the. cavity from which fluid is to be evacuated and held there until evacuation The spring I5 is normally is complete. If, however, the intake orifice becomes clogged by a bit of bone or other debris, the device is removed from the cavity and by pressing the rod ll inwardly as far as it will go, the user compresses the spring l5 which moves the spring end I! to the left, as viewed in the drawings, with resultant projection of the rebent end l8 out of the intake orifice and ejection of the material causing the stoppage after which evacuation proceeds in the normal manner.

In some, cases the -fl'uidmust be evacuatedfrom cavities lined, in part at least, by soft tissue and if the intake orifice were to contact such tissue, the tissue would be drawn across the orifice and" make it necessary either to break thersuictioni source or to attempt to pull the device away from the tissue despite the suctionythe latter"- being undesirable in that its may damage;- the-v tissue or cause unnecessary pain or discomfort to the patient. In such cases, the user first" presses the rod Il inwardly and turns it to ena e-the threads l0=of the nut,;8wwith 131108813011 1 the collar l2 (see Fig-i, 3,) i locking theespringilin compressed condition and with the rebentiendil 8" thereof; protruding from; the intake orifice:- In: this. position the orifice-zrimcan not engagezscft tissue sandgrip ;it by reason of suction rsincersomer portion-of the orifice'will be exposed to atmosv phere when evacuation-{of ,thezcav-ityziszcompletes Uponunscrewing the; rod; 1 lfrom the nut 8=v the spring will; return the; parts :to. the positions 1 shown'in Fig.- ,1,

All of; theeparts are ofzsuch-design as-2.to:be economically manufactured and readily-cleaned: and1sterilized'. To cleamtheidevicerit is only? necessary to unscrew-the-nut 8' from therspring: housing I 6; which -removesthe tube: l I carried thereby and Which.- makes it possible a to remove the spring element from the-body, structure;

The, advantagesspossessemby the devicewin .1156; are-'obvious.-; First; it is;l capable of;.-readil-y--re.-: moving-,obstructicJnsa Second,: since thepassages: are all larger, than the tip, any matter, passing; through the tipportionwill-notcause obstrucetion elsewhere in the -device. Third, by-theasimaple expedient: of locking the, proj ecting;v rebenti endrof the wire, ..I Lbeyondthe end-.ofithe aintake; orifice,-the device is made suitableafor evacuateingv cavitiesiwithout attaching itself teeny-soft: tissue, lining ,the. cavity. Fourth, because -of-ethe small .size of the tip portion, it, may, beainsertedi. into relatively small 4 cavities. Fifth,-, because ofi its simple design, it is both economical to inane ufacture. andeasy" to clean. and sterilize.

While ,I have above; described,- and :.illustrated; one form; of my invention, 1; do not;.intend:;-to;- limit myself ;to:- the exactsform disclosed; and; the: invention :embraces: all, such:modifica.tionss:in: the parts; and: in; the; construction, combination: and, arrangement ofgparts: as shall 1 come within: the purview ofithe :appended' claims:

I claim'z' I 1; A dental aspirator comprising a hollow, elongated-ibody member: having an' intake orifice ate one end, aavhollow relativelymovable element slidablyfmounted in the. other end 'of s'aid body member and adapted to be connected to 'a source' of suction, and: means:.- contained: within said": body:ele'menttresponsivevto relativesliding move ment.;between said body member and said i ele-.,-- ment'zefiective to: clearfisaidorifice of obstruc tionsz:

2.: A-,'dental;aspirator' comprising a tubular; body member. terminating: in an intakezworifice at&; one end; and in; a spring-mousing: portion. at?

the other end thereof, a spring in said housing, a rod extending from said spring along the interior of said body member and normally terminating at a point short of said orifice, and means afiording the connection of the interior of said body member with a source of suction said means additionally being movable relative to said body member with resultant compression of said spring with incident projection of said rod beyond the endpf said orifice and clearingpf. any obstructionitherefrpm.

31 A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member having a relatively small intake orifice at its distal end and a relatively large tubularzrspring housing portion at its proximal end, a removable closure means at said proximal end having an axially extending bore, a hollow rodslidablymountedin said bore having a head portion engageable with the face of said closure meanswithin said spring housing member, a compression spring in said housing member, and a-rod'lelement extending from vthe iproximal end of; said: spring; to, a point adjacent" said L intake orifice qsaid head. portion of said:hollo.w-rod err. gaging the; proximal. end of: saidspring:

la-1A:dental aspiratoricomprisinga hollow; elontgated-body member having; anwintake orifice: at: one end, a relatively movable elementi'slidablyr mounted, in. the otheriendr of 'said 2 bodycmember andadapted: to i beconnected to a SOIIICBJ-OfYSLlOH tion l, and ameanss extending; longitudinally; inte= riorly oft saidsbody member: responsive to. relative sliding movement of said body memberandele ment effective to clear]said orifice' ofaobstructions; said movable-element including-:meansior: interlocking engagement .thereof with resultantwpro jection of the distal endeof; said :means. through; said orifice said tbody member; at one extreme of said relative movementto.permit saidintake orificeto ,be used-safely -in close adjacency to softbody tissuel. 5..,A.. dental aspirator comprisingya tubular body member, terminatingin anintake orifice: at one end ;and.inwa-,1spring; housing; portion: at. thaother end :thereof, ;a spring-:in'saidhousing, a rod extendinggfrom said spring alongusaidi body member, and a normally 1 terminating; ate point; shorty of, said I orifica a; hollow' member.

having,- ,-0nee end thereof slidingly engaging ithe interioraof the: spring housing end? of said; body: member;,said1hollow-membersaffording the'scone nection of; said; body member: with a SOUTGGEDfsuction and-said one'vendeof'asaid hollow-memberengaging said :spring I and effective? upon: mc rveementi" into; said-,1 body-x menber to: compress said spring; withi'inc-ident projection "of said rod"be=- yond the end of said orifice and clearing'of-any' obstruction therefrom; said"members-- including interlocking'means"effective to-lock :said rodi' in' said" projecting pQSition;

body member having arelatively. smalliintake orifice at its distal ends and, a. relatively, large,

tubular spring; housing portion ,at -its., p roximal end, a removable closure meanstat'said-iproximal compression, springin said: housing memberrfi a rod element extending, from the proximal end of: said spring to a point adjacent .said 'eintakei' orifice; said. head portion of said rod" engaging the proxima e d 0rsa d pr n ihlviproximali 6; A dental aspirator comprisingaatubulan end of' said rod being adapted for connection to a sourceof suction.

7. A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member terminating in a relatively small tip portion having an intake orifice at its distal end and having an enlargement adjacent the proximal end of said'tip portion, a spring biased rod element reciprocable in said body member normally disposed with its distal end in said enlargement, and hollow manually operable means extending from the interior to the exterior of said body member and having the portion thereof exterior of said body member adapted to afford connection of the interior of said body member with a source of suction; said means additionally being constructed and arranged to project the distal end of said rod through said orifice for removal of obstructions therein.

8. A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member terminating in a relatively small tip portion having an intake orifice at its distal end and having an enlargement adjacent the proximal end of said tip portion, a spring biased rod element reciprocable in said body member normally disposed with its distal end in said enlargement, and hollow manually operable means movable axially of said body member and extending from the interior to the exterior of said body member and having the portion thereof exterior of said body member adapted to afford connection of the interior of said body member with a source of suction; said means additionally being constructed and arranged to project the distal end of said rod through said orifice for removal of obstructions therein.

9. A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member having a tip-portion terminating in a relatively small intake orifice at its distal end, a relatively large spring housing portion at its proximal end and an intermediate portion of a series of gradually increasing intermediate diameters, a nut threadedly engaging the proximal end of said body member and having an axially disposed guide-way extending therethrough, a hollow rod mounted for reciprocation in said guide-way and having enlarged portions engageable with the ends of said guideway to limit the extent of movement in both directions,

and a spring biased rod reciprocable in said body member and constructed and arranged to effect the ejection of obstructions from said intake orifice upon movement of said rod into said body member.

10. A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member having a tip-portion terminating in a relatively small intake orifice at its distal end, a relatively large spring housing portion at its proximal end and an intermediate portion of a series of gradually increasing intermediate diameters, a nut threadedly engaging the proximal end of said body member and having an axially disposed guide-way extending therethrough, a hollow rod mounted for reciprocation in said guide-way and having enlarged portions engageable with the ends of said guideway to limit the extent of movement in both directions, and a spring biased rod reciprocable in said body member and constructed and arranged to effect the ejection of obstructions from said intake orifice upon movement of said rod into said body member; one of said enlarged portions on said hollow rod being constructed and arranged for interlocking engagement with said nut with incident locking of said rod with the distal end thereof projecting from said orifice.

dental aspirator comprising a tubular, body' member having a tip-portion terminating in a relatively small intake orifice at its distal end, a relatively large spring housing portion at its proximal end and an intermediate portion of a series of gradually increasing intermediate diameters, a nut threadedly engaging the proximal endof said body member and having an axially disposed guide-way extending therethrough, a.

hollow rod mounted for reciprocation in said guideway and having enlarged portions engageable .with the ends of said guide-way to limit the extent of movement in both directions, and a springbiasedrod reciprocable in said body member andconstructed and arranged to effect the ejection of obstructions from said intake orifice upon movement of said rod into said body member; the proximal end of said hollow rod affording means of connection with a source of suction.

12. A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member having a tip-portion terminating in a relatively small intake orifice at its distal end, a relatively large spring housing portion at its proximal end and an intermediate portion of a series of gradually increasing intermediate diameters, a nut threadedly engaging the proximal end of said body member and having an axially disposed guideway extending therethrough, a hollow rod mounted for reciprocation in said guideway and having enlarged portions engageable with the ends of said guideway to limit the extent of movement in both directions, and a compression coil spring mounted in said housing; the proximal end of said spring forming a rod extending axially through the coils of said spring and along the intermediate portion of said body member and terminating in a rebent distal end portion normally disposed adjacent the proximal end of said tip portion constructed and arranged to effeet the ejection of obstructions from said intake orifice upon movement of said rod into said body member.

13. A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member having a tip-portion terminating in a relatively small intake orifice at its distal end, a relatively large spring housing portion at its proximal end and an intermediate portion of a series of gradually increasing intermediate diameters, a nut threadedly engaging the proximal end of said body member and having an axially disposed guideway extending therethrough, a hollow rod mounted for reciprocation in said guideway and having enlarged portions engageable with the ends of said guideway to limit the extent of movement in both directions, and a compression coil spring mounted in said housing; the proximal end of said spring forming a rod extending axially throughthe coils of said spring and along the intermediate portion of said body member and terminating in a rebent distal end portion normally disposed adjacent the proximal end of said tip portion constructed and arranged to efiect the ejection of obstructions from said intake orifice upon movement of said rod into said body member; one of said enlarged portions on said hollow rod being constructed and arranged for interlocking engagement with said nut with incident locking of said rod with the distal end thereof projecting from said orifice.

14. A dental aspirator comprising a tubular body member having a tip-portion terminating in a relatively small intake orifice at its distal end, a relatively large spring housing portion at its proximal end and an intermediate portion of a series of gradually increasing intermediate 7. diameters, a nut threadedly engaging the proximal. end of "said? body member and having," an axially disposed: guideway. extending there-. through, a hollow rodmounted for reciprocation in said rguideway and having enlarged portions engageable with the ends of said guidewaytolimit the extent of movement in both directions; and a compression coil spring mounted in said 110118 ing; the proximal end of said spring forming-a rod' extending axially through the coils of said 1 spring and along the intermedi'ate portion of said body member and terminating" in a rebent. distal end portion normally disposed 'adj acenttheproximal end ofsaid tip portion constructed and arranged to effect the ejection of obstructions from, 15 1;'718,602

said intake orifice upon movement of said rod into said body member; the proximal end of said hollow rod afiordin'g means of connection with a source of suction.

ROLAND A. GRUBB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 'Number' Name Date 958;854 Bunn May 24, 1910 1,167,062 Groshans Jan. 4, 1916 1546!),004 'Holtz Sept. 25, 1923 Smith June "25, 1929 

